If you have specific questions/comments/suggestions for FlashCast itself or its developer, or want to get the newest FlashCast, please use the main FlashCast thread.

Likewise, if you have questions/comments/suggestions for Eureka-ROM, its developers, or want to get the newest Eureka-ROM, please use the main Eureka-ROM thread.

IMPORTANT NOTE
The HubCap exploit has been patched in firmware build 19084. This means yet again, only certain Chromecasts can have root. It didn't take long - only about a month from the exploit's release and 2-3 weeks from the source release before a patch arrived.

If your Chromecast is on firmware build 19084 or newer, it is not rootable.

Available root methods depend on what firmware your Chromecast is running:

The information below pertains to the original FlashCast root method for Chromecasts with the original 12072 bootloader.

First, understand how FlashCast works, and when it doesn't...
FlashCast is not really a "root tool" but rather a ROM/mod flashing utility, similar to CWM or TWRP recoveries in the phone/tablet realm. Thus, "rooting a Chromecast with FlashCast" really means flashing a rooted ROM image using FlashCast.
Currently, FlashCast will only run on Chromecasts that have the original build 12072 bootloader.
Newer Chromecasts shipped from the factory with newer bootloaders, so except for rare exceptions, only initial-release Chromecast units came with build 12072.
The serial number provides a reasonable guess at the build on an unopened, unused Chromecast - see the Rootable Serial Numbers thread
To further complicate matters, Chromecast automatically updates itself once set up, so even if you have a serial number in the range, if it has been set up with Internet access, most likely it has already been updated and FlashCast won't work on it. It is safe to try FlashCast even if you don't think your Chromecast has root potential - either FlashCast will run and you have the option to flash a rooted ROM, or it won't and you don't have root potential.

REMEMBER: For a just-written or re-written FlashCast USB stick, the first boot with it does not root your Chromecast, because it does not write a ROM (which is what preserves root) until the second round, after you load the eureka_image.zip onto the stick. If you haven't put a eureka_image.zip onto the FlashCast USB stick, you have not applied a ROM yet and you are still at risk of losing root (unless you're just applying a mod or new ROM over an existing root-preserving ROM).

Use of wall (utility) power is highly recommended for flashing - TV USB ports, USB power packs, and other uncontrolled or potentially-non-constant power sources can cause problems if they turn off or give out in the middle of a flash.

FlashCast shows up but only get red LED on Chromecast
FlashCast did not find your eureka_image.zip, it is corrupt, or your USB stick has errors
Windows users - make 100% sure that your file is named exactly eureka_image.zip not eureka_image.zip.zip
By default, Windows hides file extensions and this can cause misnamed files.
See this explanatory image

FlashCast shows up, the LED is white, but all I see is the line of dots after the reboot
Check that the button on the Chromecast is not stuck down. On some units the plastic button-pusher can get wedged down. Gently but firmly push the button all the way down and wiggle it on release. If that doesn't work, try flicking the button to dislodge it.

I reached "Sorry, your Chromecast is not rootable" in the flowchart.
Try the HubCap exploit.

Attached Thumbnails

Last edited by bhiga; 6th September 2014 at 04:15 PM.
Reason: HubCap patched in build 19084

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